Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a parent-mediated, in-home feeding intervention (parent training, direct intervention, and parent coaching) over 6 months for families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The findings support preliminary evidence that the intervention improves eating skills and mealtime behaviors in children with ASD and the need for more targeted feeding interventions for children with ASD that involve the parents in the natural context of the home. Primary Author and Speaker: Karla Ausderau Additional Authors and Speakers: Brittany St John, Libby Hladik, Shannon Kant, Jessica Muesbeck, and Holly Romaniak

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This study presents the relationships between different types of feeding challenges for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to specific sensory patterns, parenting stress, and overall adaptive behaviors. The findings of this study suggest children with ASD demonstrate unique patterns of feeding challenges and sensory responses that are significantly connected to parenting stress and adaptive behavior and can inform the development of targeted family-centered feeding interventions. Primary Author and Speaker: Brittany St John Additional Authors and Speakers: Muhammad Al-Heizan, Molly Hamre, and Karla Ausderau Contributing Authors: Kate Dorrance, Colleen Althoff

Date Presented 04/13/21 Individuals with intellectual disabilities have a high risk for obesity. The effectiveness of community-based interventions at improving obesity-related outcomes was assessed. Results showed low to moderate evidence for nutritional, physical activity, and health knowledge and self-efficacy outcomes and low evidence for physical fitness. OTs are well suited to align community-based interventions with meaningful outcomes to improve the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities. Primary Author and Speaker: Yasmeena Ougayour Additional Authors and Speakers: Stacey Reynolds

Date Presented 04/20/21 This systematic review included 11 studies examining the effects of caregiver–care recipient dyad exercise interventions on caregiver health outcomes. Benefits for caregivers were compared among those participating in dyadic exercise with a care recipient, those receiving a separate nonexercise intervention while their care recipients exercised, and those remaining in their role with usual care. Results suggest involvement in dyadic exercise produces both physical and psychosocial benefits. Primary Author and Speaker: Kecia Doyle Contributing Authors: Erika Kemp

Date Presented 03/26/20 People with IDD and their caregivers have lacked the opportunity for meaningful research participation and the chance to be engaged partners in the research process. This capacity-building study collaborated with Special Olympics to develop a skilled community of stakeholders to participate in the development and evaluation of health outcomes for research. Primary Author and Speaker: Karla Ausderau Additional Authors and Speakers: Libby Hladik, Megan Gray

Date Presented 03/27/20 Individuals with intellectual disabilities have a high risk of obesity. The effectiveness of community-based interventions at improving obesity-related outcomes was assessed. Results showed low to moderate evidence for nutritional, physical activity, and health knowledge and self-efficacy outcomes and low evidence for physical fitness. OTs are well-suited to align community-based interventions with meaningful outcomes to improve the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities. Primary Author and Speaker: Megan Gray Additional Authors and Speakers: Kathryn Bach, Yasmeena Ougayour, Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 03/27/20 The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a parent-mediated, in-home feeding intervention (parent-training, direct intervention, and parent coaching) over six months for families with children with ASD. The findings support preliminary evidence of the intervention at improving eating skills and mealtime behaviors in children with ASD and the need for more targeted feeding interventions for children with ASD that involve the parents within the natural context of the home. Primary Author and Speaker: Karla Ausderau Additional Authors and Speakers: Shannon Kant, Jessica Muesbeck, Libby Hladik, Holly Romaniak, Brittany St. John

Date Presented 03/26/20 Transmission of Zika virus from a mother to an infant results in a spectrum of mild to severe deficits. Using a rhesus macaque model, the impact of Zika on gait development was examined using the Noldus Catwalk XT. Infants exposed to the Zika virus in utero, compared to control animals, used a less mature gait over the first month of life, specifically related to their use of diagonal walking patterns. Primary Author and Speaker: Sabrina Kabakov Additional Authors and Speakers: Sarah Navin, Natalie Dulaney, Kathryn Bach, Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 03/26/20 This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of intervention at improving dietary intake in children with autism. Overall, limited to moderate evidence supported behavior modification and desensitization practices within interdisciplinary feeding teams to increase food variety directed at improving dietary status. The impact of intervention on a child’s dietary status in addition to feeding behaviors should be considered when working with children with autism and feeding challenges. Primary Author and Speaker: Amanda Malzacher Additional Authors and Speakers: Sophia Slocum Contributing Authors: Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 03/26/20 This study presents the relationships between different types of feeding challenges for children with ASD to specific sensory patterns, parenting stress, and overall adaptive behaviors. The findings of this study suggest children with ASD demonstrate unique patterns of feeding challenges and sensory responses that are significantly connected to parenting stress and adaptive behavior and can inform the development of targeted family-centered feeding interventions. Primary Author and Speaker: Brittany St. John Additional Authors and Speakers: Molly Hamre, Karla Ausderau Contributing Authors: Muhammad Al-Heizan, Kate Dorrance, Colleen Althoff

Date Presented 04/04/19 Special Olympics athletes are individuals with intellectual disabilities who participate in sports training and competition to encourage their development of physical fitness and life skills. In addition, Special Olympics regularly conducts health promotion programming. Health outcomes between Special Olympic athletes and nonathletes with intellectual disabilities were compared using a state-wide Medicaid data set to determine potential benefits of participation in Special Olympics. Primary Author and Speaker: Karla Ausderau Additional Authors and Speakers: Brittany St. John, Elisabeth Hladik, Holly Romaniak, Muhammad Al-Heizan

Date Presented 04/06/19 A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of public space interventions promoting community engagement for families with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Findings suggest a dearth of research and limited evidence supporting current effectiveness. Further research and collaboration among OTs, stakeholders, and public institutions are needed to increase opportunities for families' meaningful participation in the community. Primary Author and Speaker: Holly Romaniak Additional Authors and Speakers: Elisabeth Hladik, Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 04/06/19 Individuals with ID experience limited autonomy in occupational engagement impacting their health promoting occupations. Photovoice was used to allow individuals with ID to capture their lived experience of health, occupational participation, and barriers to participation. Understanding the perspective of individuals with ID will contribute to the development of novel health promotion programing. Primary Author and Speaker: Brittany St. John Additional Authors and Speakers: Karla Ausderau, Holly Romaniak, Elisabeth Hladik

Date Presented 4/21/2018 This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of health-promoting community-based interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities. Results show strong evidence for a positive impact on physical health and low to moderate evidence for mental health, social, and health knowledge outcomes. Primary Author and Speaker: Rachel Eggers Additional Authors and Speakers: Elise Pagel, Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 4/21/2018 Findings from this study provide preliminary confirmation of the construct validity of the Feeding Assessment for Children With Autism, providing researchers and clinicians with a comprehensive and psychometrically sound assessment tool to assess the unique feeding challenges of children with autism. Primary Author and Speaker: Karla Ausderau Additional Authors and Speakers: Muhammad Al-Heizan, Caitlin Dammann, Sarah Hope, Colleen Althoff, Katelyn Dorrance, Molly Hamre, Brittany St. John

Date Presented 4/20/2018 Feeding challenges are prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often disrupting family mealtimes. Limited research has examined tools families incorporate to support mealtime engagement. This study explored the tools (e.g., toys, books) and their purpose that families used during mealtimes with children with ASD. Primary Author and Speaker: Jessica Muesbeck Additional Authors and Speakers: Shannon Kant, Brittany St. John, and Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 4/19/2018 A systematic review was conducted to determine the influence of family meals on the health and well-being of family members. Results suggest that increased family meal frequency is associated with improved health and well-being outcomes for family members. Primary Author and Speaker: Lauren Lange Additional Authors and Speakers: Emily Katz, Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 4/21/2018 Income disparities in diagnosis and intervention services have been documented for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study explored relationships between family socioeconomic status variables and functional independence outcomes for children with ASD. Primary Author and Speaker: Brittany St. John Additional Authors and Speakers: Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 3/30/2017 A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of parent-mediated interventions for children with autism in occupational performance areas. Findings support improvement in social communication and symptom severity, with emerging support for feeding, play, independence, and behavior. Primary Author and Speaker: Caitlin Dammann Additional Authors and Speakers: Colleen Althoff, Sarah Hope, Karla Ausderau

Date Presented 3/30/2017 A cross-species comparison was conducted between typical development of the common marmoset and typical development of the human child. Information obtained from this comparison can be used to understand potential early developmental markers of disease and to prevent and manage chronic conditions. Primary Author and Speaker: Caitlin Dammann Additional Authors and Speakers: Karla Ausderau Contributing Authors: Marina Emborg, Katherine McManus, Mary Schneider, Nancy Schultz-Darken